UMass Amherst Student Brings Jewish Ritual Leadership Back to Campus
Hillel International and Repair the World’s Bridging Service Fellowship Returns for Second Year
New Hillel Director Looks to Build Community at Ithaca College
Hillel International Expands Shabbat Opportunities at 130+ Hillels
This fall, more than 130 Hillels will receive grants to expand Shabbat programming as part of Hillel International’s “Shabbat Surge,” a movement-wide effort to strengthen Shabbat experiences during the first six weeks of the semester. The initiative aims to bring more students together around the Shabbat table and create opportunities for connection and community. “There’s something really special about seeing students who might not otherwise cross paths sitting around the same table, laughing, talking, and creating community together,” said Ben Novorr, director of Jewish student engagement at University of Kansas Hillel.
Welcome Week Brings Jewish Students Together on Campus
Hillel International Welcomes Its 10th Student Cabinet Cohort at Annual Gathering
UC Berkeley Hillel to Celebrate 100 Years of Jewish Student Life
Federal Judge Rules That Antisemitism Complaint Against UC Berkeley can Proceed
A Federal judge ruled that Jewish groups can pursue their lawsuit against the University of California, Berkeley, which alleges that the university tolerated persistent antisemitic harassment toward Jewish students and faculty. The plaintiffs claim university officials were deliberately indifferent to a hostile environment on campus. The judge allowed claims related to equal protection, free exercise of religion, and civil rights to move forward.
U.S. Government Reviews $9 Billion in Funding to Harvard Due to Campus Antisemitism
The White House is reviewing Harvard University’s federal funding, which includes $255.6 million in contracts and $8.7 billion in multi-year grants. Officials are assessing whether Harvard is complying with civil rights laws following reports of antisemitism on campus. Harvard President Alan Garber said funding cuts could affect research and innovation, and that the university would “take the measures that will move Harvard and its vital mission forward.”
Op-ed: Gaza Protests Reflect Growing Frustration with Hamas Leadership
In an essay in the Washington Post, Gazan lawyer Moumen Al-Natour shares how protests in Gaza are intensifying as Gazans express frustration with Hamas’ leadership, focusing on both internal governance failures and failure to alleviate the violence in the territory. Al-Natour believes that demonstrators are demanding accountability from Hamas, signaling a shift in the political climate.
Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong Resigns Amid Campus Upheaval
Katrina Armstrong resigned as Columbia University’s interim president and will return to her previous position leading the university’s medical school. Her departure comes as the school responds to demands from the federal government to restore $400 million in grant funding and faces backlash over its handling of anti-Israel protests and antisemitic incidents. Columbia Board of Trustees Co-Chair Claire Shipman will serve as acting president.
House Passes Bill Requiring Colleges and Universities to Disclose Foreign Funding
The House of Representatives passed the “DETERRENT Act” (Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act), which mandates U.S. universities and colleges report foreign contributions of $50,000 or more. The bill focuses on increasing transparency with regard to foreign influence within higher education and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Celebrating Jewish Belonging In An Time of Uncertainty
Hillel International’s Senior Vice President of Jewish Education, Community, and Culture Rabbi Ben Berger and Hillel International’s Senior Director of the Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Experience Mollie Feldman, share insights on strengthening Jewish communities on campus through three pathways: becoming, belonging, and building. Each of these frameworks offer a way for Jewish students to explore their identity, deepen their connection to community, and engage in leadership. By focusing on students’ need in each of these areas, Hillel aims to create a stronger, more inclusive Jewish presence on campus, say Berger and Feldman.